'Overdue Drug Debt' Leads to Kidnap, Robbery Accusations in Redlands

A man and a woman are accused of kidnapping and robbery in an effort to collect an overdue drug debt in Redlands, according to police.

The alleged crimes occurred about 3 a.m. Sunday Sept. 9 in Redlands, when the suspects forced a 63-year-old man to the Redlands Bank of America at 305 E. State St. to withdraw cash from the ATM, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

The suspects were reportedly trying to collect an overdue drug debt, according to police. Information about the drugs or the amount of the debt was not released.

The victim apparently did not have enough money in his account, so the suspects took cash from his wallet and drove him back home, Baker said. The location of the victim's neighborhood was not disclosed.

The supects were later identified as Robert Perrin, 35, of Highland, and Brekka Ruschak, 23, of Redlands, Baker said.

Perrin had a firearm with him during the alleged kidnapping and robbery, Baker said.

Redlands police located Perrin and Ruschak at Perrin's home in the 28000 block of Canyon Drive in Highland on Wednesday Sept. 12, Baker said. They were arrested.

"A subsequent search of Perrin's vehicle revealed a loaded handgun that had been stolen in an earlier residential burglary in Rialto," Baker said.

Police described Perrin as a documented gang member who served 13 years in state prison for a murder conviction before his release on parole in 2009.

Perrin was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property. Ruschak was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and robbery.

Perrin was held without bail Monday Sept. 17 at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. Ruschak was held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, where her bail was listed at $90,000, according to inmate records.

Anyone with more info was urged to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword "REDTIP."

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